Hello, my name is Walter. Over the past few months, I have been working on my car. I never used to think much about my car. I would just jump into it and hit the road. Things were fine at first, but soon I realised that things were starting to go wrong. Strange white smoke started to appear from the exhaust. Sometimes when I changed gear, I could hear a strange noise. Foolishly, I ignored all of this until my car broke down. When I got to the auto repair shop the mechanic repaired my car and then gave it a full service. As he did so, I began my auto servicing education.
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While 2020 was only the fourth hottest year on record in Australia, that's little comfort for those who live in particularly toasty areas and have to deal with elevated temperatures throughout the summer. These onslaughts can also do a number on mechanical components and may begin to cause problems with your car or truck as well. Did you know that your car battery can also overheat in those unbearable summer months? How do you know this is happening, and is there anything you can do to prevent it?
Heat Effects
While most modern-day batteries are very well made and should be able to cope with excessive conditions, extreme heat can still cause some of the battery fluid within to evaporate. If the fluid is low, in turn, this may make it hard to regulate the charging process, leading to battery degradation. So the overheating process is not a direct result of the temperature, per se, but a contributory part of the problem.
Knock-On Effects
The alternator may not recharge the battery correctly if the fluid is low. It may send too much voltage through, which could even cause the casing to swell. Alternatively, the voltage regulator may fail to do its job, and if there is not a consistent flow of voltage through to the battery, overcharging may also result. So, if overcharging becomes a regular occurrence, the electrolyte solution within the battery may start to boil over.
Charging Habits
Be careful if you use an external battery charger to ensure that your vehicle is always ready for use or to compensate for some of the ancillaries fitted. Use the correct type of charger for the battery that you have and set the charging time based on the amperage.
Keeping Things Cool
Also, keep a close eye on all of the other major parts, especially within the engine bay. Ensure that the cooling system is in first-class condition and do not allow the engine to overheat at any time. This could lead to high temperatures underneath the bonnet, and the radiant heat could cause your battery fluid to evaporate as well. Again, this could lead to overcharging issues and significantly cut down on the unit's life.
What to Do Next
So, if you are having to replace your battery too frequently, excess heat could be the cause. Make sure that you keep everything as cool as possible, check levels as required and be careful when charging.
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